Will taller Apple iPhone 5 allow for the same full screen thumb coverage?

Those who applaud Apple for apparently increasing the size of the screen on the 6th generation Apple iPhone may have not thought through the implications of this change. Surely movies, videos and games will look better on the larger screen, and Android users have flocked to screens as large as 5.3 inches (and soon to go a tad higher). So what do iPhone users have to fear about a 4 inch display? For one thing, the larger screen might make it harder for users to use their thumb to cover the entire real estate of the glass. Now this might not seem important, but Apple iPhone users seem to be more creatures of habit than users of other phones. And for those with smaller hands, the larger screen can make a difference.

Looking at a diagram comparing how easily a thumb can cover both today's 3.5 inch screen and the expected 4 inch display, you can see that a half inch makes a huge difference adding more of the yellow-colored "reach" area. A while back, when people were questioning Apple's decision to keep a 3.5 inch screen on its iconic smartphone in the face of ever growing Android models, it was determined that the Cupertino based company was more interested in keeping its customer's thumbs within easy reach of the entire screen. So the real question has to do with customer experience.

Thumb coverage on a 3.5 inch screen (L) and 4 inches

What will Apple iPhone users think about having to stretch their thumbs out just a scoosh more to reach the top part of the screen. Will it affect the customer experience enough to lower those amazing customer satisfaction numbers a tad, or will the increased viewing space more than make up for the extra effort when touching the nether regions of the screen? This is something that Android users have had to adjust to and in the end, we see two of the platform's larger screened models, the Samsung Galaxy S III (4.8 inches) and the Samsung GALAXY Note (5.3 inches) both selling like hotcakes. And no Android user we know has suffered a sprained thumb or has complained about full-screen coverage.

If there is a difference between Apple iPhone users and those who sport an Android model, we will find out after the launch of the next iteration of the Apple iPhone. And then Apple will have another tough decision to make. If the new screen is universally accepted, does Apple go even bigger next year? And if iPhone users just don't like the larger screen, does Apple revert back to 3.5 inches? Actually, knowing Apple, the answer would be to keep growing the size of the screen on its smartphone to compete with Android and then offer the Apple iPhone mini, stuck at 3.5 inches for those who can't adapt to change.

All the best specs, faster speeds, better processors, better cameras, up to date software, etc are found on Android devices with the biggest screens. If you choose to go for a smaller screen, you tend to get less than amazing specs. Consumers don't have that much choice.

yes exactly my point. Their specs are "decent" but not the best. The best specs are reserved for phones with larger screen sizes. The LG Motion is 1.2 ghz dual core with a 5 megapixel camera for Metro PCS and the Motorola Droid Razr was rated better than the Droid Incredible 4G by both phonearena and the PA users.

Not true. I am right-hand dominant and I EXCLUSIVLEY hold my phone in my right hand. The only time I ever use my left hand is if I need to use two hands. I cannot do anything with my left hand, even simple tasks such as stirring coffee. The screen on my phone is 4.3" and I can 80% of what I need with one hand.

part of it is that no high end specs are offered in a lower screen size… i wish they were… the one s is good, but its only on tmobile

and i think the graphic in this article is a little off… because when i had a captivate the screen size was great… my one x now is definitely too large-- i think 4 inches is a good size for thumb reaching

"Actually, knowing Apple, the answer would be to keep growing the size of the screen on its smartphone to compete with Android and then offer the Apple iPhone mini, stuck at 3.5 inches for those who can't adapt to change."

No. No. No. Apple doesn't have more than one product in same category since iPhone. That's why I think they won't release iPad Mini, not to mention iPhone Mini. It's not Apple strategy at all, if they did that it would be very strange.

When it comes to the abovementioned problem, I agree. Apple is now under great pressure from market, and even 176 pixels more will make a huge difference in our minds... but the decision to go 16:9 is not "Appley" at all.

There's also something you need to know. They didn't choose 3.5 inches to be reachable with the palm of one hand, because global paradigm of smartphone established by iPhone is based on using two hands (pinch to zoom anyone?).

They also chose 3:2 ratio because 16:9 is only good for widescreen (horizontal) viewing of multimedia. It is a standard derived from video formats that are already compromise between historical 4:3 and 21:9.
16:9 is fundamentally wrong for smartphones that are mostly used in portrait mode. Other manufacturers use larger diagonals but 3:2 is the more efficient ratio, because we use it in portrait and landscape as weel. Also, 3:2 format is the A(n) format (A0, A1, A2, A3, A4...) of paper, based on perfect harmony of golden ratio, that is proven to be very readable.

So, either Apple is changing its game because of pressure and for the first time is not consistent with itself, or this is just a bunch of fake rumors.

"No. No. No. Apple doesn't have more than one product in same category since iPhone. That's why I think they won't release iPad Mini, not to mention iPhone Mini. It's not Apple strategy at all, if they did that it would be very strange."

Ipod Classic, Ipod Touch, Ipod Nano (Which has underwent a few revisions of its own), and Ipod Shuffle. 4 different product lines for essentially the same function, a music player.

iPod belonged to pre-iPhone era and it's waiting for retirement. They keep it alive for little more just like MacBook, which is, very indicative, also turned to one-product-per-category system.

From iPhone, Apple is clearly following method of only one product and cutting prices of older ones. There are numerous resons why this is the best strategy. Dividing the market with "adaptive" products means also loosing this market.

Apple has became the most valuable company in history preciesly because of this strategy.

And this - introducing iPhone Mini would just show consumers that they are not equal in front of just one God... ups, phone... and it would loose it's cult status.

That is an interesting perspective and makes some sense. If Apple does release two sizes of iPad, guess we will see the first true sign of Apple responding to the market as opposed to trying to set the market.

I have always found screen ratio postings difficult to follow. (Math always has been harder for me to pick up than most people. I so respect smart people.) Yours was pretty straight foreward, A.C. Thank you.

Honestly, 3,5" is just fine for me. I plan to get an iPad for movies, but for something that's in my pocket this size is alright. I'd be disappointed if they change the display. Maybe only if they keep the outer shell size the same it is gonna be okay.

that ur opinion ,, and it is okay but just be sure to be based on experiance .. like u have tried all of them as for me i did ...and i found that 4.0-4.3 is just perfect the current devices are awesome and i love how they are nice to be used ..put when the moment come to put them in my pocket xD that all changes ! the point is that apple should have made this move earlier and i hope they do ..

Maybe if you're a kid, a 4 inch would be difficult to use. I have a 4 inch phone and have NO PROBLEMS using it. I could see I would have problems if I went with something like a Galaxy Note, but anything 4.5 or smaller should be fine for nearly every adult.

And if you're a kid, the only reason you have a smartphone is because your parents bought it for you, so you dont really have a right to choose outside of the budget they allow for you. So deal.

From your comment: you are from a Western country and male.
It´s just a stupid guess, but probably true, why? I also have a 4 inches phone and I´m Ok with it, I even find it a little small and I would rather have a 4.2 inches one or a 4.5 if it has no physical buttons.
But many of my female friends would have issues to use a 4 inches phone with one hand. And probably many people in Asia too. You are not taking into account that people come in many different sizes in this world.

Not sure I see why. Fact is, Android and WP seem to be getting bigger and bigger for their basic screens, while the iPhone has remained one of the most profitable products ever at the small screen size. Going to a 4.0" screen is a bit of a gamble for them.

Chaos is imminent. Ifans thumbs will be swinging about flailing about wishing out of control due to the new iphone screen being .5 of inch larger,it'll be like somebody having a thumb war with themselves!!

Excellent analysis here: even though many people seem to revert back to Jobs passion against fragmentation of the iPhone, we have many different screen sizes and resolutions for Mac computers, and that doesn't seem to be an issue. My guess is that eventually, Apple will offer 3 sizes of screen. 3.5 inch classic/nano size, the upcoming iPhone 5 screen and then - when screen/battery technology can do it - a phablet in excess of 5 inch diagonal, but with quadruple the resolution of the iPhone 5.

Gone are the days where we subscribe to Jobs' thinking- who said he was always right? I know he never liked the idea of 4" phones... Or real multi-tasking, which I think will one day come to iOS. I hear Jobs reluctantly succumbed to the need of Apple to enter the medium-sized tablet space... Indeed one of those things he was wrong about. People are gonna enjoy the 4" iPhone!

I guess crappy apple iphone users better get use to having a real man's device not something made for a 5 year old like the 3.5 inch screen on the current iphone 4/4s. Apple is the biggest JOKE in the tech game in my world you couldn't get me to own any iphone not even for free. it's poor navigation abilities, poor maps, watered internet as well as NO ability for funcationality. Apple can keep it's USELESS iphone models they don't innovate anyway. I roll real strong with my Samsung Galaxy S3..

Jobs declared the current screen the "sweet spot" for mobIle phones.
We suspect their research is overwhelming support not the current size.

Why is apple retaining the small screen size, when Android users get the luxury
of indulging a big screen? What's the point? And why are people saying it's
going to boost sales? Don't iPhone users want a bigger screen? Is there something
we are missing?

i really think 3.5"-4.2" will be the normal size... bigger than that its huge, smaller than that will be tiny!!!

i have big hands but no problem with 3.5 screen size while texting... yes.. its good to watch movies on a big screen so if you want big screen buy a tablet or better yet a loptop!!!

the S3 is comfortable in the hand (for me coz i got big hands) but what about those people with small hands?

if you want big screen for the reason of watching movie, better buy a tablet with expandable memory (not nexus 7 coz very limited) at least your phone acts like your mp3 player and a phone and some apps and games while your tablet will act as your movie player and web browsing!

But do you always want to carry a tablet or laptop around to watch movies while commuting? I think they rather carry a bigger screen phone like the Galaxy Note. In fact, I'm plesantly surprised a lot of girls are seen carrying the Note in my country because of that, since they can keep it in their bags or purse. The media, games, internet etc. are so much better on a larger screen. And people with small hands can always use the phone with two hands.

I think people 'enforcing' about the need to just use one hand one thumb on their iPhones are funny. You mean you cannot use the other hand when needed? I see most iPhone users using 2 hands on their phone anyway, holding it precariously in one in case it drops and shatters, while navigating with the fingers of the other hand.

It sounds like this article is calling iPhone users lazy and unable to adapt. I mean complaining about something as small as half an inch is not that important. I've had a 3.5inch phone 4inch and right now a 4.3inch smartphone that is a little big for my hands but I wouldn't go back to a smaller screen. ANDROID ALL THE WAY... good bye.

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